Wing strut fairing

[Nev]

I've never been completely happy with the original strut fairings and decided to make new ones. These have an overlap along the front edge which means that the airflow applies pressure and keeps them very tight during flight. They click into place easily, and are easily removed for inspection.

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[Utah-Jay]

I sent you an email already…. I saw your video about 2 minutes after you posted it. Now it looks like your glassed it so not a quick/easy fix

[Nev]

You could probably make them from .025 alumimium. Start with a cardboard template.

[svyolo]

The ones I bought with the kit are fitted but not installed. Do they make a difference? Don't know because haven't tried it yet. Soon. In theory you want a fillet on the <90 degree side of the strut to reduce "interference" drag. That term is "Umerican English". Others might call it something different. In reality, does it make a difference on a BH? I might be happier with simpler/lighter.

[Nev]

Probably makes a small difference - but having bush tires probably negates any fillets that small. The big difference is when you're doing maintenance and have to take them off, and after when you have to refit them again.

[svyolo]

I split mine along the aft/trailing edge, AKA similar to how the lower strut fairings come with the kit. Easy to R & I. I will post a picture later today,

[Utah-Jay]

I am thinking Virgil will start mass producing these and I can buy them

[huntaero]

Looks good Nev another way to build a strut cuff Thanks for sharing

[alaskabearhawk]

I made mine out of AL:

http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_log.php?user=yeeeha&project=527&category=0&log=309041&row=41

http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_log.php?user=yeeeha&project=527&category=0&log=309134&row=38

[Nev]

They look very nice Paul !

[svyolo]

Here is a pic of my "split" kit upper strut fairings. They go on an off very easy. I did the cut with shears.

[gregc]

Elegant solution! How did you make the overlap during the layup?

[Nev]

I just used peel-ply. Probably a layer wax paper as well would be easier to separate.

[Nev]

Here's a very rough drawing of how I laid it up. Yellow is the cloth, 2 layers on top and 3 layers on the bottom and outside front.

Red is peel ply, covering all fiberglass.

If I did it again I would add a strip of wax paper (green) between the peel ply and the outer curve of the fiberglass. This part is difficult to access to separate from the peel ply.


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[svyolo]

I am a big fan of wax paper for the cosmetic surface of glass/CF. If you get it right, zero surface work required. You can still get mini-wrinkles occassionally.

[Bcone1381]

These really look great, easy to fabricate and remove. Lots of time save when compared to my fairings! Great job!!

I wonder if a slight adjustment was made when planning the wrap sequence if the raw edge could be hidden a bit by placing it on the bottom of the strut?

[Nev]

If you make both ends the same length, and made them 3 ply all the way, then they would be interchangeable. You get to choose whether you view the join on the ground, or inflight.